Boundaries between self and nature will soften into the fluid spaciousness of awe, wonder, vision and mystery. Here we can easily commune with the wisdom of Nature and absorb her profound resilience and boundless creativity into the fulness of our own lives.

Reawaken ancient senses that all four ancestors knew to connect with the Medicine of the forest and our natural world. Forest Bathing is a fast-growing practice based on humanity's evolution as part of nature, not separate from it. Forest Bathing (aka Forest Therapy or Shinrin-yoku) is a pleasurable, effective, natural antidote to stress, anxiety and depression and is a cornerstone of the Japanese healthcare system. Now over 30% of the population in Japan heads to the forest each week to boost immunity, intuition, creativity, cognition, decision making, and feelings of wellness and peace. Forest Bathing leaves us healthier, happier and smarter. Basking in the essence of the forest and in our natural environments, we will weave Forest Bathing into every aspect of our precious time together and you will depart with the skills to practice at home.

Transform into your most radiant self through combining Forest Bathing with our yoga practice of easeful Being that embraces an approach of soft, intuitive, natural movement. We will enjoy gentle flowing and restorative postures to unleash blockages from body, mind and soul. An integrated yoga practice offers you an opportunity to feel into the place within where boundaries begin to blur, spaciousness expands and a feeling place of where "air meets water" starts to emerge. Awaken alignment with the Oneness of All that is. Harmony, connection to our inner and outer abundances of wisdom, fully present to inner and outer paradise in the tropics--this is Joan's intention for guiding our yoga practice together in St. Lucia.

"There is no waiting and no delayed gratification because yoga is both the means and the result and the seed of all that is possible is present at the very beginning." -D. Farhi

O U R C A R I B B E A N O A S I S

St. Lucia, West Indies....the Caribbean island you dream about! Beaches,mountains, sunshine, warmth and a slowed down pace of life is waiting for you. Our tropical home for the week is Balenbouche Estate, nestled in the Southwest coast of St. Lucia.

Enchantment takes over as you are welcomed to this very special 75 acre restored West Indian sugar plantation and organic farm. Amerindian, African, European and East Indian history is intricately interwoven in this 18th century sugar mill, historic plantation house and grounds. Together we will earn about the history as we honor the past and present stewards of this fertile land. Today, lush with ancient banyan trees, gardens of flowers, vegetables, coconuts, bananas, mango and papaya, lily ponds and nature trails, the property is flanked by black sand beaches and sparkling Caribbean Sea.

This eco-chic resort has been owned, lovingly restored and managed by the Lawaetz family for 3 generations lodging is intimate with 5 historic cottages, ventilated by nature, equipped with mosquito netting and fans, and beautiful artistic touches. Each cottage has its own unique layout and you can choose your lodging to include more privacy or more social connection; early registrants having greatest choice.

Y O U R G U I D E S

Deborah Denome is a Social Entrepreneur, Educator, Herbalist and Certified Forest Therapy Guide. She is passionate about the expansion of human consciousness as it informs our Interdependence with All Things. Deb's greatest joy is in helping individuals to deepen their own relationship with the Earth, each other, and our own true nature and she has been leading retreats for over 20 years. She is the owner of Finger Lakes Forest Therapy and finds Forest Bathing to be a profound yet simple and accessible path to expanding our relationships with All That Is.

Since 1997 Deb has served as Director of Shimmering Light Farm & Renewal Center, a non-profit educational organization that explores, models and inspires more conscious and restorative ways of life. Her previous corporate career was in international training and publishing and she was the 2008 Canandaigua Athena Award recipient for her work promoting women in leadership. Deb is blessed to live and play at Shimmering Light Farm in South Bristol, NY. Here, overlooking Canandaigua Lake, she raised three fascinating young adults, tends abundant herb gardens, and dances as often as possible.

"Deb has a beautiful ability to hold sacred, still space for us to enter into Presence." - Lynne W. retreat participant

Joan Ruffels is an Integrative Wellness Professional who blends degrees in anthropology, sociology and occupational therapy with teachings from global masters, shaman and wisdom keepers in a way that provides opportunities to reclaim wholeness and vitality. She is a yoga teacher who began her training over 20 years ago with Muktunda Tom Stiles, and extended stays at various ashrams have deepened her practice. She has recently come full circle with her yoga training through completion of Yoga Alliance 200 hour teacher training.

Joan has adventured with her family as worldschoolers. She and her family love to slow travel, where they can experience authentic connection with local customs and cultures through extended stays in various communities, living in villages or neighborhoods that are off-the-beaten tourist track. Joan loves guiding transformational travel where beneficial relationships occur among travelers and local people. She has lived in St.Lucia either full or part time for over 20 years and is delighted to share her island home with our group. Joan provides opportunities for a glimpse of real-life St. Lucia that one rarely sees behind the gates of all-inclusive resorts. Through alliances with local friends near Balenbouche, Joan has worked with communities to uncover meaningful service opportunities.

"This was not a siteseeing adventure. This was a “down to your soul” transformative week. This journey, orchestrated with love and care by Joan, was indeed a life event for me. The trip changed my perspective in a lasting, positive way. I could not recommend a better person to trust with your travels."- D.P., Previous retreat guest

Deb and Joan have savored the intimacy of a women’s circle together for the last 16 years. They have shared the joys and challenges of homeschooling their children, co-creating a community farm, delving deep into self and relationships, and celebrating the seasons of nature and life. They are both recognized for their authenticity, gentleness and ability to hold beautiful, blessed space, allowing you to enter a place of healing that feels right for you.

Marvel Bask Flourish

F O O D

We share meals that are served family-style on the verandah of the main plantation. Our creative chef utilizes produce grown in the plantation gardens and from local sources (as much as possible on an island) and lovingly prepares meals that dazzle the senses. Meals are delicious and typically include:

Banyan Cottage with private bedroom and shared bath. These rooms are perfect for those who like a little social time, enjoy connecting with others but still want to have some solo space.

FLOURISH ROOMS: $2399

Banyan Cottage with shared bedroom and shared bathroom is for those who are used to having a busy house and prefer it that way.

***There is bountiful outdoor space around the property for private reflection and most people prefer to be outdoors except to sleep, so be assured that you can find whatever amount of solo space you might need at any given time.***

A deposit of $500 is required to reserve your space in our intimate group of 12 retreatants.

We expect this retreat to fill fast!

REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 15, 2017 AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY ONE-HOUR MASSAGE IN ST. LUCIA!

The full balance of your payment is due December 1st, 2017.

W H A T' S I N C L U D E D

Transportation to and from Hewanorrah Airport (UVF)

7 nights lodging

All on-site meals from Saturday evening to Saturday morning

Daily yoga and forest bathing

Excursions to local attractions that may include:

Tet Paul Nature Trail walk between the famous Pitons

Soufriere Volcano

Moule-a-Chique Lighthouse

Snorkeling at Sugar Beach coral reefs

W H A T' S N O T I N C L U D E D

Airfare to and from St. Lucia

Off-site meals, drinks, snacks, etc. that are not part of Balenbouche meal plan

About the
Venue and Teachers

Balenbouche Estate is historic plantation, retreat center and guesthouse on the caribbean island of St Lucia. On our family run secluded 60 acre property, people come together to reconnect with each other, with nature, and with the spiritual world – but most of all, with themselves. Our beautiful grounds and beaches, delicious healthy meals, charming accommodations, eco friendly practices and range of activities have made Balenbouche a popular venue for retreats, workshops and team building. Past and current events include art and photography, archeology, cultural exchanges, and particularly health and wellness retreats focusing on Detox, Nutrition, Mind/Body healing, Yoga and Fitness. We can sleep between 8 and 14 retreat participants in our 5 guest cottages. Yoga classes, workshops, massages and other therapies usually take place in a beautiful rustic barn. Classes and wellness services can also be booked individually year-round.

Guiding you toward intuitive and natural movement that flows to unleash blockages from body, mind and soul is Joan's speciality. She guides you into a feeling-place within where boundaries begin blur, spaciousness expands and awakening alignment with the Oneness of All ripens to emerge. Joan is an Integrative Wellness Professional and Registered Yoga Teacher-200. She blends her varied background in occupational therapy, anthropology, teachings from wise ones, and passion for worldschooling into creating Transformational Travel and Wellness programs.

Deborah Denome is an Educator, Horticultural Therapist, Herbalist and Certified Forest Therapy Guide. She is passionate about the expansion of human consciousness as it informs our Interdependence with All Things. Deb's greatest joy is in helping individuals to deepen their own relationship with the Earth, each other, and our own true nature. She finds Forest Therapy/Shinrin-Yoku to be a profound yet simple and accessible path to expanding these connections. Since 1997 Deb has served as Director of Shimmering Light Farm & Renewal Center, a non-profit educational organization that explores, models and inspires more conscious and restorative ways of life. Her previous corporate career was in international training and publishing and she was the 2008 Canandaigua Athena Award recipient for her work promoting women in leadership. Deb is blessed to live and play at Shimmering Light Farm in South Bristol, NY. Here, overlooking Canandaigua Lake, she raised three fascinating young adults, tends abundant herb gardens, and dances as often as possible.

$2399-$2699 USD

Thank you!

Why Retreat?

We asked people why they go on retreat, here's what they said:

After the past two years of transition on every level, I would absolutely LOVE a retreat! :)
Chelsee

Retreat Guru's Vision

We believe human beings are innately wise, strong and kind. This wisdom, although not always experienced, is always present. Going on retreat is a beautiful way to reconnect to our basic sanity and health. Our aspiration at Retreat Guru is to inspire people to experience authentic retreats and reconnect with their innate wisdom, strength and kindness.